Comic-Con 2015: A Guide to All Doctor Who Events

Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman, Steven Moffat, David Bradley, and Mark Gatiss on the Doctor Who panel at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con.

(Credit: youtube.com/magicinthenumbers)

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The world famous San Diego Comic-Con 2015 kicks off later this week, with a preview night on Wednesday and the official convention running from Thursday to Sunday. For the first time since 2013, Doctor Who will have a big presence at the con this year, and Doctor Who Watch will be covering it all for your reading pleasure.

So what should we expect? Well, there are a lot of panels running all three days but here’s a breakdown of the events that will be most relevant to Doctor Who fans (keep in mind the times are all Pacific Standard Time, so adjust accordingly)…

Next: Doctor Who: BBC America's Official Panel

Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman will both be on hand for BBC America’s Doctor Who panel. (Credit: BBC America)

"Thursday, July 9, 2:15-3:15 PMDoctor Who: BBC America’s Official PanelFollowing his record-breaking first season as the Doctor, Peter Capaldi will make his first ever appearance at Comic-Con with stars Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald) and Michelle Gomez (Missy), and lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat. Doctor Who follows the adventures of the Doctor, the time traveler who will continue to journey through all of space and time in epic adventures in the new season premiering this fall. Capaldi’s first season delivered BBC America its highest rated season ever and is available now on all digital platforms."

This is the big one, folks. Doctor Who is taking over the gigantic and fabled Hall H at Comic-Con to present Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Michelle Gomez, and Steven Moffat to fans and answer questions about the upcoming Series 9. While disappointment is a definite possibility, I’m expecting big things here. I think we can count on seeing a trailer or at least the first footage from Series 9, a premiere date, and a host of new details on the upcoming episodes. Hopefully, any trailers or video will also be posted online; otherwise, we’ll have to live with detailed descriptions.

Next: Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman star in Sherlock. (Credit: BBC)

"Thursday, July 9, 3:45-4:45 PMSherlockSteven Moffat (co-creator, executive producer, and writer), Sue Vertue (executive producer) and Rupert Graves (actor, DI Greg Lestrade) discuss the latest adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his long-suffering faithful friend, Dr. John Watson. Sherlock will return to PBS Masterpiece in a forthcoming special."

For all you Sherlock fans out there, expect a lot more details on the upcoming special and new season, and maybe even a trailer or some new footage.

Next: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies/Patient Zero

Matt Smith stars in the upcoming Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. (Credit: Entertainment Weekly)

"Saturday, July 11, 12:15-1:15 PM Pride and Prejudice and Zombies/Patient ZeroPride and Prejudice and Zombies A zombie outbreak has fallen upon the land in Jane Austen’s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th-century England. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is a master of martial arts and weaponry, and the handsome Mr. Darcy (Sam Reilly) is a fierce zombie killer, yet the epitome of upper-class prejudice. As the zombie outbreak intensifies, they must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield. Cast members Lily James, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcote, Douglas Booth, Jack Huston and Matt Smith along with writer/director Burr Steersand the book’s author Seth Grahame-Smith for a first look at Screen Gem’s adaptation of his acclaimed twist on the classic novel. Patient Zero An uprecedented global pandemic of a super strain of rabies has turned the majority of humankind into highly intelligent, streamlined killers known as ‘The Infected’. One victim, Morgan (Matt Smith), who is asymptomatic and can communicate with the infected, leads the last survivors on a hunt for Patient Zero and a cure. Join cast members Matt Smith, John Bradley, Natalie Dormer, and Clive Standenalong with director Stefan Ruzowitzky and screenwriter Mike Le for an exclusive first look of the film. Both panels will be moderated by Dalton Ross (Entertainment Weekly)."

We get a bit of a break on Friday, but then Doctor Who and its stars are back in the forefront on Saturday, starting with Matt Smith’s two new films. He’ll join his castmates to present the first footage (and maybe trailers?) for both Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Patient Zero. Again, hopefully these will be posted online, as well.

Next: Anything Goes With John Barrowman

John Barrowman will front his own panel at this year’s Comic-Con

"Saturday, July 11, 3:00-4:00 PMAnything Goes With John BarrowmanJohn Barrowman (Arrow, Torchwood, Doctor Who) is an entertainer with a capital “E.” He sings, he dances, he acts, he presents, he judges; ask him anything!"

Yep, John Barrowman get his own panel at Comic-Con all by himself — because he’s John Barrowman, dammit. Expect most of the talk to be about Arrow, but I’d anticipate some nuggets of info about the upcoming Torchwood audio plays from Big Finish and possibly some amusing anecdotes from his time on Doctor Who.

Next: Doctor Who Comics Panel: Year Two, Crossover Event and New Miniseries!

(Credit: io9/Titan Comics)

Saturday, July 11, 3:30-4:30 PM
Doctor Who Comics Panel: Year Two, Crossover Event and New Miniseries!

"Titan Comics gives you a sneak peek at the next chapters for the Doctor in all his incarnations, including sneak peeks at the direction of Year Two featuring the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors. Writer Cavan Scott and artist Blair Shedd discuss the smash-hit Ninth Doctor miniseries. Writer Paul Cornell (Wolverine) gives you a sneak peek at August’s comics crossover event. Writers George Man and Cavan Scott and cover artist Alice X. Zhang take you behind the scenes of the Twelfth Doctor SDCC exclusive short story edition. Plus, witness the reveal of the next miniseries-which Doctor is it going to be? Free Doctor Who comic for all who attend, and prizes to win."

This should be a good one. Expect to learn a lot of new info about the Year Two comics, next month’s Four Doctors miniseries, the reveal of the next miniseries event, and surely a few other surprises.

Keep your browsers pointed here at Doctor Who Watch during the times listed above; we’ll bring you coverage of any breaking announcements and news as soon as we can. This is going to be a big week for Whovians!

Next: Doctor Who: 8 More New Series Characters Who Need Big Finish Spin-Offs